THE ARK ENCOUNTER

One year ago, on 7 July 2016, The Ark Encounter was opened to the public in Kentucky. Since then a million visitors have come to explore what some have called “a wonder of the age.” The Ark was officially opened on 7/7 to coincide with Genesis 7:7: “So Noah, with his sons, his wife and his sons’ wives, went into the Ark because of the waters of the Flood.”

The Noah’s Ark at the Ark Encounter theme park is the largest free-standing timber-frame structure in the world: 510 feet (155.4m) long, 85 feet (25.9m) wide and 51 feet (15.5m) high – based on the Bible’s dimensions (300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide and 30 cubits high using the Hebrew long cubit of 20.4 inches (51.8cm).

Monumental Achievement

3.1 million board feet of timber was used for the Ark structure (that is not counting the wood in the exhibits!) In board feet that would be 612 miles (985km), the distance between Williamstown, Kentucky and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (or from Cape Town to Kimberly). Amish craftsmen and carpenters were primarily responsible for the construction of the timber-frame structure.

Massive Team Work

The Ark includes 290,000 board feet of Bamboo flooring (about 55 miles (88.5km)). 67,467 holes were drilled in the heavy timber. A total of 300,000 screws were used. 50,000 wood pegs, bolts, washers and nuts and 95 tonnes of steel plates and connections were used.

Unprecedented Achievement

The huge 66 lodge poles (55 feet (16.7m) tall) are Douglas Fir and Edelman Spruce, harvested in Washington and Montana States. The Ark is built on 102 piers, each 15 feet (4.6m) high. The Ark’s keel is 12.5 feet (3.8m) from the ground and the roof of the Ark is 80 feet (24.3m) from the ground, with a fin that extends even higher.

Educational Experience

The Ark’s 132 exhibit bays house world-class exhibits, with fascinating details on geology, history, technology, the world before the Flood, how the Ark could have been built, ventilated, lit, provided sufficient food and water for the thousands of species, comparisons with other Flood narratives in different cultures around the world, the post-Flood world, Babel, evidences for a worldwide Flood and much more.

Catastrophe of the Flood is Critical to Understanding Our World

Ken Ham said that his interest in the Flood and the Ark was intensified when he read The Genesis Flood, by Dr. Henry Morris and Dr. John Whitcomb. The catastrophic event of the Flood explains most of the fossil record and is integral to a fuller understanding of the topic of origins.

The Ark Project

The Creation Museum, which opened ten years ago, in 2007, has a spectacular Noah’s Ark exhibit, which has become very popular for Museum visitors. However, the massive exhibit only represents about 1% of the Ark’s volume. In 2004, the leadership team at Answers in Genesis began to put together a strategic plan to build a life-size Noah’s Ark after the Museum’s completion.

Inspired by Colossians 3:23: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men”, Answers in Genesis believe that their Museum and exhibits must be as good as, or better than, what the secular world offers. “We have the greatest and most important message in the universe to proclaim, the Gospel!”

Educational Exhibits

Ken Ham explained to Frontline Fellowship: “The Ark Encounter consists of exhibits, within an exhibit. The massive Ark itself is an exhibit and inside this wooden structure are 132 exhibits containing stunning teaching. The Ark is the biggest of its kind in the world. It is a jaw-dropping experience. God created wood and there is something about it, especially with the enormous amount of wood seen inside the Ark that absolutely fascinates people. They love the look and feel of it. Guests often stop and contemplate the massive beams and the craftsmanship that went into the building of the Ark structure.

Excellence in Engineering

Ham added: “Guests also notice the complexity of the Ark’s engineering and architecture. This gives us an opportunity to help them think about Noah and his brilliance in the correct way. You see, many people have adopted an evolutionary view of history, thinking that the ancient people were less intelligent and less advanced than we are today. However, as we show, ancient people were highly intelligent and the Ark Encounter showcases the extraordinary talent and skills which Noah and his family would have invested into making the Ark effective in protecting the people and animals that God had selected from the catastrophic judgement of the Flood.”

Evangelistic Endeavour

Ken Ham explains that “The Ark Encounter is an Evangelistic Ark. It will be one of the greatest Christian outreaches of our era. It is all part of our occupying until He comes (Luke 19:13). As you visit the Ark Encounter and gaze at what some are calling a new wonder of the modern world, I urge you to ponder Genesis 6:22 “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” It is no wonder that Noah is listed in the Believers’ Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11. May we be bold men of Faith just like Noah!”

The Purpose of the Ark

In answer to the question: What is the real purpose of the Ark? Ken Ham declares: “I say that other than the Cross, the Ark is the greatest reminder of the message of Salvation. Noah had to place one door in the Ark – and only those who went through that one door were saved from the watery judgement.

God’s Son stepped into history to become Jesus Christ, the God-man. Just as Noah and his family went through the Ark’s only door to be saved, so too do we need to go through the one door. Jesus declared:

“I am the door, if anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9.

Jesus Christ also declared:“I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6.”

As in the Days of Noah

Ken Ham also observed to Frontline Fellowship: “As we look at the decline of Western culture today, Christians will notice many similarities to the wicked days of Noah. Genesis 6:5 records:

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

We have built this Ark to remind people that God is a righteous God who judges wickedness. But just as God provided Salvation to Noah and his family, God has provided an Ark of Salvation for us today through Christ’s atoning death on the Cross of Calvary and His glorious Resurrection, God has provided for our Salvation. Each one of us needs to go through the door of the Lord Jesus Christ in order to be in His Ark of Salvation.”

The Door

“After our Lord was crucified, there was a large stone, like a door, that was rolled over His tomb. That door was opened when Christ rose from the dead. In our Ark there are numerous exhibits dealing with the doors of Scripture. As we teach about those doors, we will be challenging visitors as to where they stand concerning God's free gift of Salvation through Christ.”

Answers in Genesis

The Ark Encounter is the newest and most visible ministry outreach of Answers in Genesis. Founded in 1994 by Ken Ham, Mark Looy and Mike Zovath, Answers in Genesis is headquartered at the Creation Museum, near Cincinnati, in Petersburg, Kentucky. In 23 years, Answers in Genesis has grown to include more than 600 employees and is the largest apologetics Bible-defending ministry in the world.

Invaluable, Educational, InspirationHaving spent two days carefully examining every exhibit on the Ark Encounter, I have no doubt that one can learn far more from a thorough exploration of the Ark and Flood of Noah than most students could learn in a month, or even a year, in the average classroom. It is an absolute must for home educators and Bible students.